Do I need to release NSString generated using @“…”?

Question

If I make an NSString using the code below, do I need to need to release someString?

NSString *someString = @\"somestring\";

Answer 1

If you created an object via a method call that contains alloc, retain, or copy, or starts with new (N-A-R-C = "narc"), then you are responsible for releasing the object. If this is not the case, then you can ignore the object.

So in the case of strings:

NSString * myString = @"This is a string";

I don't see a call there to a NARC method, so you are not responsible for releasing it. It's really that simple.

Answer 2

So, please check what Apple does under the section "Insert Data Using a POST Request" at the following link:

I see a [urlString release];, why?

Answer 3

No, since it's a compile-time constant string, you do not need to release it. In fact, doing so will likely cause a run-time error.

Answer 4

If it's a compile-time constant string, there wouldn't be a need to retain it as well. Is it correct?

Answer 5

No, it's a compile time constant string object, so it doesn't need releasing. It's the moral equiv of char *c = "hello world" -- where the string hello world is in global data, and you're assigning the address of this data to the pointer c.

Answer 6

I checked this case is different from NSString *someThing = @"someThing"; they should release urlString because of

[[NSString alloc] initWithFormat:@"%@%@", baseURLString, queryTerm];

Anywhere you use alloc/init you release it no mater what.